A tantalizing sense of autumn is in the air luring Valley residents toward outdoor events and activities. Taste, Chandler’s Culinary Festival is such an occasion to enjoy. This Saturday, October 15th from 12:00-6:00pm, Taste consumes A.J. Chandler Park in historic downtown Chandler for an afternoon of enticing gourmet food, wine tasting, live music with the Vandal & Hancock Duo, and more. Taste is an interactive indoor and outdoor affair featuring nearby restaurants, bistros, wine bars, dessert shops, and more to showcase Chandler’s epicurean spirit.

More than 30 local eateries will be represented on this day of casual sampling and outright gluttony. This year’s Taste carte du jour offers an eclectic medley of culinary treats from Mexican to Mediterranean. Asian, Italian, Irish, BBQ, and much more is also on this diverse menu. And an appealing selection of fine wine, spirits, and craft beer will be served to complement any dish. There will also be cooking demonstrations to help you discover your secret inner-chef passion and abilities.

To enliven your Taste experience, three ‘lounges’ have been placed around the festival site with each presenting a distinctive theme and signature indulgence. The Reserve Wine Experience Lounge features Cooking with Wine - Le Cordon Blue at 12:30pm, 3pm and 5:30 pm with wine tastings from Kokopelli Winery at 2pm and 4pm. Wine classes and live jazz music will accompany this venue. The Brewmaster Craft Beer Experience Lounge presents Cooking with Beer – Sunshine & Spice at 1:30pm and 4:30pm with beer tastings by James Swann at 3pm and 5pm. Live rock music and classes in craft beer edification are included. Mix & Mingle Experience Lounge offers Mixology & Fusion presented by Alliance Beverage at 1pm and 3pm. DJ performances and mixology classes round out this lounge area.

TAdding a special bit of fun and camaraderie to the event, a “Best of Taste” competition is designed to encourage participants to create a booth and a sample dish that best exemplifies their cuisine and restaurant atmosphere. Winners will be declared in the following categories: Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, American, Asian, and Indian.

Online general admission presale tickets for this year’s Taste, Chandler’s Culinary Festival cost $35 with $45 being charged if purchased upon entering festival grounds on the day of the event. General admission includes your entry into the culinary courtyard with unlimited food sampling (while supplies last) from over 30 of Chandler's finest restaurants. General admission also includes 12 beverage tastings from local spirit, wine and craft beer vendors. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Taste is a 21 and older event. It is also rain or shine; no refunds or transfers allowed.

Philanthropic outreach is also a primary objective. Proceeds from this year’s Taste event will benefit Chandler Service Club, a Valley-based organization whose focus is committed toward helping children and families in need. A silent auction has been designed featuring an impressive assortment of gift items, products, and services.

Purchase tickets, see which restaurants are participating, and view the list of silent auction items plus much more about this year’s event by visiting Taste, Chandler’s Culinary Festival.